The Bears' Tip Off Showcase began in 2021, and represents the beginning of the men's and women's basketball team's seasons.  For Coach Duane Eason, it's a time of remembrance for a professor who meant a lot to him, because of her love of students; in particular those who were less fortunate.

Dr. Noshin Rafieei, was sociology professor at Phoenix College.  In 2016, she was diagnosed with cancer.  Despite her battles with this terrible disease; she remained focused on helping the students she cared so much about.  Some of those students were the men's basketball players in Coach Eason's program.  She often spoken fondly about them; and even when she had issues with some, she was firm about working with them, not having Coach Eason step in.  "She was not a big woman," Coach Eason jokes.  "But she would be very forceful about handling the guys, rather than have me step in."

Professor Rafieei lost her fight with cancer in June of 2021, at just 36 years old.  Coach Eason created the PRIDE Scholarship Award in her name; to be given to the player that best exemplified what she represented to the players she taught.

Coach Eason took time out before Saturday's game to talk to us about it.

Coach Eason, I know this is a busy time of year for you; and I know it's a special time as well.  Tell us about Dr. Rafieei.

"Doc", that's what I called her was a special person to me.  I reached out to her because I was looking for a sociology professor that would care as much about the students, as they did the curriculum.  She proved to be just that.  From the first conversation, I knew she was the one.  Doc spoke passionately about kids who had part-time jobs, financial struggles to pay for books, and those who took the class as a requirement, she'd want to truly enjoy the subject matter.  It was inspiring. The connection was instant, because I grew up less fortunate, and had teacher's like her.

How was she able to help her students?

Doc was easily accessible, even when she was teaching online; which she hated. She loved interacting with the students.  She's the type of person that wants to be in the room with people.  When we had our first meeting, I told her I'd call her, but she insisted I meet her in person.  For me, it felt like she wanted to truly see you; that's not possible through a phone call or email.

My guys were always able to get office hours with her, if needed.  I'd tell her not to worry about it, and do a phone call, but she would always prefer face to face.

She also created a text book that was completely digital, so the students didn't have to spend $200 dollars on the book.  I remember her telling me about outlining an approved book, and building her own text for the course.  The kids paid about $40 for the textbook and $25 for the testing website; I believe.  Things like that, are big for a student that can't afford expensive books, after tuition, fees, and expenses getting back and forth to campus.

When did you find out about her health?

She actually told me in our first meeting.  The conversation was very good, so she decided to tell me.  I was shocked because she didn't look like she was having health issues.  Doc being Doc, she assured me it would not impact her ability to take care of the students.  It most certainly didn't.

When did you know something had changed?

I was doing grade checks, and one of my players had some struggles.  I told him I'd reach out to her, but he told me someone else was teaching the course.  I looked back at my emails from Doc, and the course he was in, was her course number.  I reached out to the department, and they told me she needed to take a leave because of the cancer.

I reached out to her a few times, but didn't get a response.  Finally, she texted me and said everything was going to be fine; and she'd be back for summer classes.  We were in Covid, so I worried about her immune system during that time.  She was tough, so if she said she'd be back, I expected her to be back.

How did you find out about her passing?

I hadn't heard from her in quite some time, but that was not unusual for her.  We didn't have any guys taking her class in the summer, so I would wait until July or August to make sure I had her course numbers correct.  One day, I get a staff email sharing the news of her passing.  It was tough, because we had developed a strong relationship around the guys in her class.  Many of my players need professors like her, one's that truly care about their success.  It saddens me to know, my current and future players will never experience Doc.  She truly was a blessing to us.

Tell me about the PRIDE Scholarship Award.  How did it get its name?

Ironically, it came from a connection we didn't know we had.  Doc would always joke about beating me in a game of HORSE.  I would always tell her; I don't take it easy on girls. Which she would say, "Good.  I don't take it easy on boys".  In one of those conversations, I mentioned that I was the head coach at Mountain Pointe high school during the 2017-2018 season.  That's when she told me, she graduated from Mountain Pointe.  Since we shared that a connection to Mountain Pointe, it was fitting to name it after her and the school's mascot; the Pride.

PRIDE is an acronym. What do the letters stand for?

They stand for the characteristics that she embodied to our players she taught. P is for Passion, R is for Respect, I is for Intelligence, D is for Dedication, and E is for Empathy.  Doc was all of those things for my guys.  Each of them was part of the courage and strength, she showed me.

Last year, Ruben Cazares was the award winner.  Tell us about that choice.

I found a unique similarity between him and Doc.  Both come from good families, and although neither was truly financially struggling; they both cared about others.  Ruben is a solid student, with great character and generosity.  He'll do almost anything for his teammates, and I recognized that during summer Boot Camp in 2021.  He was an easy pick for the award.

This year's winner is Duane Rogers.  How did he get selected?

Duane is a great kid.  He's originally from Milwaukee, but moved to Phoenix a year ago.  He decided to play college basketball, so he enrolled at PC.  He redshirted last year, went to school part time and worked to pay for school.  He earned a scholarship this year, and is a big part of this year's team.  Duane has some support, but not a lot.  Where Ruben represented Doc, Duane represents the students she was passionate about.  Like Ruben, Duane is a strong student, with a great attitude and generous heart.  Doc would have loved to have had him in her class.

The presentation will occur during the pre-game before you play Justice College.  What does that look like?

It's a great event for the team and family.  We Doc's family and department colleagues to center court, to be acknowledge.  I'll say a few words about Doc and the scholarship; and then we'll bring out the winner.  It's special for me, because I appreciated her.  It's my honor to keep her memory alive with this scholarship.

Coach Eason and the Bears men's basketball team are truly thankful for the support of Dr. Noshin Rafieei.  You can hear in the tone of his voice, the respect and admiration he had for her.  The program looks forward to keeping her spirit alive, through this scholarship.